There will be no IND vs PAK in the Asian Games final after Afghanistan created history by securing another Gold medal in the ongoing competition. Gulbadin Nabi and Co. looked disciplined on the field as they defeat their neighbours by 4 wickets with the skipper playing a crucial knock of 26 runs in the end. To note, the Afghani side had already won silver medal in the cricket competition of the Asian Games in 2010 and 2014 and they will now face India in their third final of the marquee event.
Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bat first
Earlier in the match, Afghanistan won the toss and decided to bowl first restricting Pakistan to just 115 in 18 overs. For Afghanistan, Fareed Ahmad was the pick of the bowlers with 3/15, spinners Qais Ahmad (2/11) and Zahir Khan (2/20) also bowled well. Pacers Karim Janat (1/12) and Gulbadin Naib (1/29) also chipped in with wickets they bundled out Pak for the first time in T20Is.
In reply, the start wasn’t as good as needed for the Afghan batters as they lost their openers inside the first 5 overs for 35 runs. Noor Ali Zadran scored 39 in 33 balls with 4 fours and 2 sixes but was dismissed looking to find his third six.
The spinners dominated in the second innings as well with Arafat Minhas (2/11) and Usman Qadir (2/20) were well supported by Sufiyan Muqeem (1/18) but there were not enough runs on the board to play with. Losing 6 wickets for 84 in the 15th over, Naib then played out the spinners cautiously and afterwards made full use of the pace on offer to hammer three sixes and the inevitable boundary to take his team over the line sealing the spot in the finals against India after winning the game by 4 wickets and 13 deliveries to spare.
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